Department of Theatre Arts
Description and Objectives
The Master of Fine Arts program in Directing and Public Dialogue is a three-year, studio-based program of study. The program intends to provide professional training for directing plays, developing and maintaining an ensemble, working with actors and non-actors in creative projects, creating and performing original work, forming and facilitating creative community partnerships Š all within the context of the artist as an engaged citizen. This training will include the development of
Self-actualizing theatre practitioners who make theatre through ensemble techniques and creative partnerships will be the result.
Studio Approach. Each student admitted will work with one master teacher from Theatre Arts in a one-on-one studio environment over the three-year period. In this context, all Theatre Arts faculty members are available to contribute graduate level seminar, classroom, and tutorial instruction to meet the goals of the program and the needs of the student. While based in the Department of Theatre Arts, the program may take advantage of the resources of other departments including: English, Education, Human Development, WomenÕs Studies, Africana Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Urban Planning, History, and Political Science.
The educational value of the studio experience is based on regularly planned performance projects designed as experiential labs. The master teacher mentors the artistic progress of the student through these projects, and guides the development of the student's overarching goals and curricular needs.
A unique curriculum, designed to the needs of each student, will examine a wide variety of performance styles and organizational structures in the context of ensemble theatre and public dialogue. Final projects may be a directing project, a solo performance, ensemble performance, or may be creative work with specific community groups in a broad range of possible production formats.
Internship. The program includes a one-semester internship in a professional ensemble, designed to provide the student with professional practice and strong positioning for career development on graduation. The internship is usually conducted in the student's third year.
It is expected that the student will graduate with a proficiency in working with actors in terms of voice, movement, rehearsal processes, and performance skill development. Likewise, the student will gain a proficiency in the director/designer dialogue, leadership of group processes, and facilitation of the social dynamic in ensemble and community partnerships.
Admission
1. Interested candidates should forward the following to the office of the director:
a. Cover letter,b. Statement of personal philosophy of theatre and career goals,c. Wish list of plays and/or projects you would one day like to undertake,d. Resume.
E-mail submissions are encouraged.
2. Those seeking admission must submit the following to the Virginia Tech Graduate School (www.grads.vt.edu):
a. A completed, signed application to the Graduate Schoolb. Official transcripts of all college-level workc. Three letters of recommendation
Successful candidates must exhibit an appropriate level of experience indicating the desire and ability to complete the degree requirements and to thrive in a self-directed environment. Graduate admission tests (GRE, etc.) are not required.
In most academic years, the program will accept one student.
Assistantships and Financial Aid
An assistantship of approximately $10,000 per academic year will be provided to each student accepted into the program. An assistantship will also include a full tuition waiver. As a function of their assistantships, students in this program will be assigned to teach the Intro to Acting for non-majors, under the guidance of an experienced faculty member. Under their assistantships, students in the program will be assigned to work in specific production shops.
The Director
Robert H. Leonard is the founding artistic director of The Road Company, a small ensemble based in Johnson City, TN, from 1976 to 1998. He is a founding board member of Alternate ROOTS (Regional Organization of Theatres - South), an artist-driven, regional service organization for grass-roots, community-based theatres and artists. He is a co-director of the Community Arts Network (CAN), a Web-based project, www.communityarts.net, promoting information exchange, research, and critical dialogue with the field of community-based arts. He is a founding board member of the Network of Ensemble Theatres (NET), the national coalition of artist-driven theatres. He currently serves on the board of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization of not-for-profit theatres. He has headed the MFA program in Directing at Virginia Tech since 1989, graduating theatre directors who are currently at the forefront of contemporary theatre exploration. He brings nationwide connection with professional ensembles and grass roots theatre-making.